New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

PHOTOS from "Matilda the Musical" at Pleasant Valley Productions

By John Posada

originally published: 07/16/2022

(WEST ORANGE, NJ) -- Pleasant Valley Productions is presenting Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical July 15-16 and July 22-23 - each night at 8:00pm - at Oskar Schindler Performing Arts Center in West Orange.  The production is directed by Elizabeth Rogers, music directed by Daniel Mullen, and choreographed by Nicole Boscarino.  Photographer John Posada was on hand to take some photos.

Matilda is a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence, and psychokinetic powers. She’s unloved by her cruel parents but impresses her schoolteacher, the highly loveable Miss Honey. Over the course of her first term at school, Matilda and Miss Honey have a profound effect on each other’s lives, as Miss Honey begins not only to recognize but also appreciate Matilda’s extraordinary personality. Matilda’s school life isn’t completely smooth sailing, however – the school’s mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, hates children and just loves thinking up new punishments for those who don’t abide by her rules. But Matilda has courage and cleverness in equal amounts and could be the school pupil’s saving grace!

The cast (in alphabetical order) - Emma-Rylie Casper, Dominic Crisonino, Juliana Curcio, Sarah Decker, Marissa Gabrielson, Selina Ghosh, Elizabeth Gillen, Susan Hagen, Fabian Hattem, Cory Herbert, Frank James, Andrew Kapferer,  Natalie Kapferer, Ana Knezevic, Richard Leit, Cassandra Lindeblad, Sean Lynch-Littlejohn, Vin Macri, Sherry Mayce,  Emerson Meakem, Danielle Meola Valencia, Grace Pages, Cristina Patrao, Evie Reyes, Noelle Santosuosso, David Simon, and Marissa Tufaro.

General Admission are $10.00 and available at the gate, which opens at 7:30pm.  Bring a lawn chair.  Food concessions are available at each performance.

 




Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info



Matilda the Musical is a musical based on the 1988 children's novel of the same name by Roald Dahl. The play features a book by Dennis Kelly; music and lyrics by Tim Minchin.  The musical had its Broadway premiere at the Shubert Theatre on April 11, 2013.  It took home 5 Tony Awards that year.

Here are more photos from the production.

The Oskar Schindler Performing Arts Center is located at 4 Boland Drive in West Orange, New Jersey.

Pleasant Valley Productions (“PVP”) was formed in 2012 as an independent, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) community theatre company. Based in West Essex County, they observed that their area of New Jersey had no theatre companies that focused on mentoring local youth in the technical and administrative, as well as the artistic aspects, of theatrical production. Keeping that in mind, their goals are to produce quality productions, mentor the development of young people in the technical, administrative, and artistic roles of a theatre and to develop new works and provide a platform for their expression.


ALL PHOTOS BY JOHN POSADA - If your theatre company is interested in having John Posada cover your plays, contact New Jersey Stage at [email protected].  He has taken photos during live performances and dress rehearsals.

About the author:

John Posada is a New Jersey based photographer specializing in photographing live theatre and music performances. Currently, John has spent the last 6 years concentrating on photographing almost 400 theater productions at over 70 different NJ theatres. Click here for John's website.





Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info



EVENT PREVIEWS

(BLOOMFIELD, NJ) -- Skyline Theatre Company presents Much Ado About Nothing with performances July 17-18, 2026 as part of its Shakespeare on the Porch series. The Bard's ultimate rom-com comes to life on the porch of the Oakeside Mansion.

Aspire Performing Arts Company presents Green Day's American Idiot

(MONTVILLE, NJ) -- Aspire Performing Arts Company presents Green Day's American Idiot from July 17-19, 2026 at the Barn Theatre. The band's powerhouse album is brought to life in this electric-rock musical of youthful disillusion. The production features two sets of casts.

The Theater Project presents "Too Fat For China" by Phoebe Potts

(UNION, NJ) -- The Theater Project presents Too Fat For China from July 17-19, 2026 in the DMK Black Box Theater. Comedian Phoebe Potts' one-woman show follows the surprises and painful realizations of her adoption journey with humor and candor.
"Chip and Gus" - a comedy with balls comes to Florham Park on July 20th

"Chip and Gus" - a comedy with balls comes to Florham Park on July 20th

(FLORHAM PARK, NJ) -- On Monday, July 20, 2026, Chip and Gus, a comedy with balls will be presented at The Thomas H. Kean Theatre Factory. The play is performed, directed, and created by John Ahlin & Christopher Patrick Mullen. Showtime is 7:30pm.
Trilogy Repertory presents "Shrek, The Musical" in Basking Ridge

Trilogy Repertory presents "Shrek, The Musical" in Basking Ridge

(BASKING RIDGE, NJ) -- Bernards Township Parks & Recreation and Trilogy Repertory presents Shrek, The Musical across two weekends from July 16-25, 2026 at Pleasant Valley Park Amphitheater in Basking Ridge. Everyone's favorite ogre is back in the hilarious stage spectacle based on the Oscar-winning, smash hit film. Admission is free; bring your own lawnchairs and enjoy the show!

The Blue Moon Theatre presents "Where the Lost Children Play"

(WOODSTOWN, NJ) -- The Blue Moon Theatre presents Where the Lost Children Play across two weekends from July 17-26, 2026. This is a dystopian stage play by Hannah Lee DeFrates. It follows two young women, Willow and Poppy, navigating a grim society.
Nutley Little Theatre presents "The Worst Fairy Tale Ever"

Nutley Little Theatre presents "The Worst Fairy Tale Ever"

(NUTLEY, NJ) -- The Narrator is ready to start the show, but how is that supposed to happen when nobody else in the cast has read the script and the costumes haven't even arrived yet? Children, families, and the young at heart will find out when Nutley Little Theatre presents The Worst Fairy Tale Ever by Todd Wallinger July 25-26, 2026.
Fool Moon Theatre presents "The Drowsy Chaperone"

Fool Moon Theatre presents "The Drowsy Chaperone"

(MARGATE, NJ) -- Fool Moon Theatre Company presents the award-winning madcap musical, The Drowsy Chaperone, across two weekends from July 17-26, 2026. Winner of five Tony Awards, this is a loving send-up of the Golden Age musical, featuring one show-stopping song and dance number after another.

The Theater Project presents Kaleidoscope Kabaret

(UNION, NJ) -- Kaleidoscope Kabaret (that's Kabaret with a K), The Theater Project's annual festival of live music and short comedic plays, will liven up the stage of DMK Black Box Theatre in Union Township's new Arts Center from July 24-26, 2026.

Aspire Performing Arts presents Disney's "Descendants: The Musical"

(MONTVILLE, NJ) -- Aspire Performing Arts Company, an award-winning performing arts company based in Wayne, will present Disney's Descendants: The Musical from July 24-26, 2026 at the Barn Theatre in Montville. The production features two casts of young performers and is directed by Joey Nasta with musical direction by Shannen Lynn and choreography by Charlize Dominguez.
 

FEATURED EVENTS


Shrek: The Musical

Sunday, July 12, 2026 @ 3:00pm
Algonquin Arts Theatre
60 Abe Voorhees Drive, Manasquan, NJ


My Fair Lady

Sunday, July 12, 2026 @ 1:00pm
Grunin Center - Main Stage
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ


The Little Mermaid

Sunday, July 12, 2026 @ 2:00pm
Middletown Arts Center
36 Church Street, Middletown, NJ


Vivid Summer Solos: "Long Drive Home" by Stephen Kaplan

Wednesday, July 15, 2026 @ 6:30pm
Visual Arts Center of New Jersey
68 Elm Street, Summit, NJ


Mala Aria

Thursday, July 16, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Premiere Stages - Bauer Boucher Theatre Center
1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ



 

Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info